Soviet Union's BT-5 Bystrochodnij Tankov (Fast Tank)

Design

It was found that the BT-2 wasn't adequate during the war with Finland so new requirements were devised for a vehicle with stronger armament, a single turret with the main gun and coaxial MG, space for a radio, and better mobility with an engine manufactured in the Soviet Union. The BT-5 was the design that was selected to meet those specifications.

It was the first main production model of the BT series.

When on wheels, steering was done by a steering wheel operating the front wheels. When on tracks, steering was done with the clutch and brake.

Turret

The turret was riveted with an extension to the rear to make room for the 45 mm model 1932 main gun and a 7.62 mm DT MG.

The 45 mm gun had a velocity of 2,350 ft/sec. The range it could fire was 4,800 meters. The velocity of an 1.43 kg shell was 760 m/sec. 42 mm of armor could be penetrated at 100 meters.

It had a larger turret, 2 rectangular escape hatches in the turret, new engine, and a stronger suspension.

The top of the turret a PTK panoramic scope.

Production

BT-5: 5,000

Production: 1932 - ?

Manufacturer: factory in Kharkov

BT-IS: 5

Production: 1937

Variants

BT-5:

BT-5AT, BT-5A: Artillery tank. Close support version with 76.2 mm howitzer. It's 6.2 kg shell could be fired 7,125 meters. Turret was from T-28.

BT-5TU(1934), BT-5(V), BT-5U, BT-5TU, BT-6: Commander's version. Carried only 72 shells to make room for the radio sets. The antenna was placed around the turret.

T-5Pch, BT-5PKh: Had a snorkel device attached so that it could go through water obstacles 5 meters deep. Able to ford water obstacles by going under water. Was tested by the 4th Don Cossack Division in 1936.

BT-IS: Five prototype vehicles that had improvements designed by N. F. Zygankovich. It had 3 pairs of road wheels to be driven on, and also had more angled hull armor.

BT-DT: Had smoke emitters.

BT-IT: Bridge layer.

BT-5-OT: Had flamethrower.

Usage

Spanish Civil War

About 50 / 64 fought in the Spanish Civil War on the Republican side.

Against Japan

The BT-5s saw action against the Japanese at Khalkin-Gol in July 1939.

Internal Action

The occupation of the western areas of White Russia & Ukraine in September 1939.